Robbie Ray excited, nervous to make big-league debut with Tigers

Detroit Tigers pitcher Robbie Ray catches the throw back during the fourth inning of a spring exhibition baseball game. Ray will make his big-league debut for the Tigers on Tuesday facing the Houston Astros.
CARLOS OSORIO — The Associated Press

His cell phone rang while he was in Destiny USA mall in Syracuse, NY, shopping for luggage, and he knew he had to take it, because it was his manager, Toledo Mud Hens skipper Larry Parrish.

“He called me, and I saw it was a Georgia number. He said, ‘If you ever see it’s a Georgia number, you better answer it.’ So I answered it, and he told me I was coming to Detroit,” said the 22-year-old Ray, who’d been packing his clothes in an old duffel bag.

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Did he get a nicer suitcase, once he found out the news?

“I did. I got one that could fit my suit in it,” Ray said.

The left-handed starter, acquired in the Doug Fister trade in the offseason, will make his big-league debut on Tuesday, starting against the Houston Astros. The Tigers Monday outrighted the contract of Jordan Lennerton to Toledo to make room on the 40-man roster for Ray, who was in the clubhouse before Monday’s game.

Ray was in Tigers camp long enough to leave a bit of an impression on his new manager. More of an impression was made with his start at Toledo, where he sported a 1.53 ERA and struck out 21 and walked five in five starts.

What impressed Tigers manager Brad Ausmus?

“His fastball. Sneaky fastball. It plays up on the radar gun. And he seems calm on the mound. He doesn’t seem overwhelmed. He might be churning inside. He doesn’t show it,” Ausmus said. “I’m sure he’ll have some nervous excitement (Tuesday). Hopefully he can keep that under wraps, so to speak, and not let it affect his pitching. But he’s pitched well in Toledo this year and I hope he stays on track the way he has.”

There probably will be some pregame nerves for a guy that hadn’t pitched above Double-A until this season. It’s been a long time since he’s experienced that.

“A long time ago. Probably my first outing in short season, when I first got drafted, that was probably the last time I was nervous,” he said. “It’s still baseball. I’m going to try to stay calm. Hitters are still hitters. They just hit more mistakes.

“I’ll be a little nervous in the first inning, but hopefully I can settle down.”

Ray will likely have 10-15 family members in attendance, including the family of fiancee Taylor Pasma, who is a Grand Rapids native.

He hasn’t yet gotten a ton of advice from his new teammates, but Ray has gotten some.

“Yeah, guys were telling me, ‘When you’re out there, just take a step back and look around, and take it all in, because you only get one debut.’ They said enjoy it,” he said. “I mean, it is my Major League debut, and it’s been something I’ve been looking forward to, but I’m going to try to take a step back, and take it all in.”

About the Author

Detroit Tigers beat writer for The Oakland Press in Pontiac, Michigan. Mowery has spent 18 years covering sports, from preps to pros. He’s been honored with more than 25 awards for writing. Reach the author at matt.mowery@oakpress.com
or follow Matthew B. on Twitter: @MatthewBMowery.